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Centerstone To Expand Mental Healthcare For Veterans

(BEDFORD) - A pilot program to expand mental healthcare services to military veterans, service members and their families is being launched in Bedford.

Centerstone of Indiana will collaborate with the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide videoconferencing between patients and providers.

Chief Operating Officer of Centerstone Robb Backmeyer says the goal is to provide easier access to VA services. The service will save veterans from having to travel to VA hospitals in Indianapolis or Louisville.

There is not set date for when the program will launch, but as soon as the technology is up and running veterans can seek help at Centerstone.

Veterans seeking service should first contact the VA to schedule an appointment.

The pilot projects stem from an order signed by President Barack Obama in 2012 directing the VA, Department of Defense and Department of Health and Human Services to find ways to collaborate with community-based providers to assist veterans with easier access to behavioral health services.

Bedford, Columbus and Kokomo were chosen for the pilot program. Pilot project sites were chosen based upon community provider capacity, treatment methodologies available, location and size of veteran population and mental health needs in specific areas.

Centerstone is a member of Affiliated Service Providers of Indiana, which will administer the program.

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